Funder: Montana Community Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2027 (Next Step Grants deadline)
Funding Amounts: $7,500–$10,000 per Next Step Grant
Summary: Supports community-driven projects that build rural Montana communities’ capacity, rehabilitate business spaces, and advance placemaking, arts, and culture.
Key Information: Communities must have participated in the Reimagining Rural Virtual Series and received a Reimagining Rural Seed Grant.
Description
Reimagining Rural grants are available through the Montana Community Foundation to help Montana communities turn local ideas into action. The competitive Next Step Grants support communities ready to build on their participation in Reimagining Rural through community-driven projects. Funding focuses on capacity building, business space rehabilitation, placemaking, and arts and culture, with the goal of strengthening local leadership, enhancing downtowns, and creating vibrant places to live and work.
The broader Reimagining Rural initiative helps communities build leadership capacity, strengthen connections, and shift the narrative around rural vitality from decline to opportunity. Its virtual gatherings bring community teams together to hear from rural practitioners and peers and discuss ideas for their towns. The Wells Fargo Foundation funds the Next Step Grants.
